Blackstar Debut 50R Limited Edition 50-Watt 1x12 inch Combo Amp, Baby Blue Union Flag
The Debut 50R is the loud one in the Debut range: a 1x12 inch, 50-watt combo with a fully analogue, digital-free signal path and a control set you can work without a manual. A MOSFET preamp handles the overdrive channel, so the dirty tones carry the saturation and touch response players usually go to valves for. This one wears the limited edition Baby Blue Union Flag cosmetics.
- 50 watts through a 12 inch custom-designed Blackstar speaker
- Two channels, clean and MOSFET overdrive
- All-analogue, digital-free design for instant plug-and-play use
- Built-in 2-mode reverb
- Patented Infinite Shape Feature, American tightness through to British woodiness
- Power scaling down to 5 watts for conversation-level volume with the tone intact
- Line-in for playing along with practice tracks
- Speaker-emulated line-out for silent recording and practice
- Limited edition Baby Blue Union Flag finish
The Debut 50R goes back to the pre-modelling era of solid-state amplification. No digital voicing, no menus, just a 1x12 inch combo with a clean channel, an overdrive channel and enough output to keep up with a drummer.
MOSFET overdrive
Solid-state has always been a strong choice for clean electric tone, which is part of why it has been the de-facto standard in jazz circles for decades. The harder problem has been replicating the raw, dynamic feel of a driven valve front end. The Debut 50R answers that with a built-in MOSFET preamp on the overdrive channel that produces dirty tones close to indistinguishable from a traditional valve amp, with the touch sensitivity that goes with it. Switch channels and you are into rich, saturated territory straight away.
ISF and reverb
Blackstar's patented Infinite Shape Feature covers a wide spread of voicings from one knob. Fully counterclockwise gives an American character with a tight bottom end and an aggressive middle range. Fully clockwise moves to a British sound, woodier and less aggressive. The built-in reverb has two modes, and the 12 inch custom-designed Blackstar speaker keeps the clean tones full range and shimmering.
Power scaling and connections
Power scaling drops the amp down to five watts, which brings a 50-watt combo to conversation level without flattening the tone. A line-in lets you play along with practice tracks, and the speaker-emulated line-out handles silent recording or headphone practice. It is a practical set of features for a room where you cannot always be loud.